Local Show

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

I went to a local show today, a benefit for the local Kiwanas Club. Must have been 200 cars or so, lots of hot-rods and street rods, a bunch of 60s muscle and a few antiques, Horseless Carriages, and special interest buggies. The Florida Highway Patrol had a roll over simulator and the high tech "beer goggles", a couple of Boy Scout troops were camped there, the Sheriff's Department had their K-9 detail there, lots of good food vendors but no swap meet or parts vendors.

My wife didn't bring the camera, so, no pics until I get them from her brother who was visiting. He is 58 and has never been to a car show. His wife is into cars, but he is a stick in the mud about some things and has discovered that old cars are pretty interesting. He saw a really nice 50 Plymouth sedan, fully restored, maybe a 5-footer, Without a doubt, a 375 point car with a for sale sign on it. $6500. He was shocked, he thought that all old cars were Barrett-Jackson $100K an up deals. Since it's the year he was born, he was thinking about scoring it, but finally decided that he didn't want to have to drive it home to Pennsylvania, so he will be going to Hershey and buying an antique so he can begin taking part in this kind of thing. We have a convert! It's never too late to pique someone's interest. His wife has decided that she likes high end antiques, (like the 21 Wills St. Claire or the 31 Studebaker Roadster) but would also settle for a 56 T-bird LOL! When we got there, she was sure that I would take "best of show" with my Zephyr. I explained to her that this was not a judged show, it was an arbitrary pick by a few of the organizer's wives, and a crowd popular vote. I told her that it didn't matter how old, how rare, how nicely restored or built in the case of a custom but simply the flash and bling. I told her that we affectionately called them "Red Camaro" shows. But that they were fundraisers and lots of fun. after they gave out the top 20 plaques for crowd favorites, we were waiting for the big BOS thophy, she insisted that I had a good chance as did a couple of other outstanding cars. I reminded her that the show wasn't judged it would be a 60s musclecar, likely a convertible, and it would be bright red..... The winner.... a red 68 Camaro convertible, SS 396 clone! A nice car, but not even close to at least a dozen other properly restored cars and many outstanding street rods. That's OK, everybody had fun, and I sure looked like an expert by calling it a "Red Camaro" show when we first got there. The local racetrack was sponsoring a demonstration race open to Model T speedsters for this evenings card, before the Modified Feature race. (1/3 mile low banked asphalt oval track) an all around great Florida winter day. 80 degrees F and sunny, with a light breeze and low humidity. There was not a single Hudson on the field, there is a 54 Jet around, but he wasn't there. There was a pretty sweet 27 Essex Touring, a 54 Packard business coupe, a good looking 38 Ford truck that looked stock, but was sporting a SBC. A guy two cars down from me sold his very nice 31 A 2 door sedan all steel SBC powered rod, A friend of mine was there with his execptional 27 T Sedan, nut for bolt restored to as close to perfect as I have ever seen in a 27 closed T. (it's also for sale since he has leg problems and can't easily drive it anymore, price is pretty high, he won't sell it anytime soon) A local old timer who swears by Mopars showed up in his newest car, a 59 Edsel Corsair Convertible! (no tele-touch shifting) Funny there were a few common antique cars NOT represented.... NO Nashs, No Buicks, No pre-1970 Oldsmobiles, no 1st gen Firebirds, no Nash Metropolitans, only one Lincoln, one Packard, one Studebaker, One "full Classic" (the Wills St. Claire) overall, A great Day!

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

BTW, Yes, we had Hooters girls!

Dave53-7C · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:14 am Post subject: Re: Local Show

It sounds like your bro-in-law is an old car newbie that needs a completely restored, turn key car. At 58 yoa, he's too young to be a dud. He should remove the pole from his butt, lighten up and buy his wifey the T-Bird she wants.

Yep, it seems that spectators who attend cars shows are always attracted to convertibles and vote accordingly.

Unless we're talking about a true concours event, I cringe at the thought of some idiot who doesn't know the first thing about one of my cars judging them. I attend events just to show the cars and have a good time. I don't get the people who buy cars with the intent of using them to collect plastic trophies. On the other hand, I do grasp the fact that awards at certain events can add value. Even then, I'm not into the kiss butt old boy's club politics where the inner circle always bestows awards upon its members. My award is having the cars and being able to drive and enjoy them.

Where the Hooters girls from Hootersville? I want to visit that town...ROAD TRIP!

And a fun time was had by all.

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

The biggest enjoyment I get (other than the Hooters Girls) is showing my car to older folks who remember when they were everyday cars, you get to listen to their stories about when they owned a similar car, borrowing one to use for a special event or whatever. I also like teasing old ladies about the huge backseats with a wink, explaining to old timers how modern technology has made these great old cars easier to maintain and makes them run and drive better than 50-70 years ago. It's fun to show younger people the V12, many had no clue that the 600 benz, the 800 Beamers and the Italian exotics didn't invent V12 engines.... it's all good.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: Local Show

So, how do the oldersters take your winky, winky? Although they're usually reserved when matters like that come up, they still got the fire down below. Wink

Eh, don't get me started on kids today. Most are so stupid, it's amazing that they can find their way home. It's sad that they don't know squat about the world around them, cars included. I pulled into a gas station in the mid 80's driving a 1971 Lincoln Mark III and was greeted by a car full of teenagers who asked what it was. I simply replied that it was a car. After their brains rebooted, they then asked what make it was. Actually, it was funny that they had never seen one. When driving the Hudson, most people under 70 don't know what it is. For those who ask if it's an XYZ brand, I say no, Hudson only built quality cars. Talk about the old harddrive crashing or a deer in the headlights... Rolling Eyes

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

I've had a blast when the oldsters check out the car. I've had old couples walk away arm in arm after looking it over and reminicing about days of long ago, one time a group of women, 3-4 of them, were looking it over, whispering back and forth, and so I asked the ringleader if she remembered the backseat, (with a wink) the old gal blushed like a schoolgirl and told me they were great, very comfortable, both riding and parked! all of them giggled about that and went on their way. The old guys always mention how fast the Lincolns were compared to normal cars, and even the junior Packards, The old women talk about the interior, I think the old men forgot where they spent most of their time while on dates!

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Local Show

Like the old Chinese saying goes, the fish spoils from the head first. Smile

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

Got another show tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Lemon Bay Region AACA Annual Show. Not going to worry about scoring, I doubt that my car can be judged since it's already a National 1st. winner. Just going to go and enjoy being there, take pictures and hang out. There may be a mini-swap meet and car corral, and of course there is the unhealthy junk food and the opportunity to smoke cigars all day.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:11 am Post subject: Re: Local Show

To bad that swanky new banjo wheel won't be going along. I bet your wife is relieved that you're not worried about scoring at the show. Enjoy the day, take some nice pics to share and have a gar for me. Who knows, maybe there will be a Hudson there with a 'For Sale' sign in the window.

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

Pics are on the way, wife is loading to her PC and will then e-mail to me. Only one Hudson there, Dave Lanning's 1915 6-40 7 passenger touring. Fantastic car! Lots of good stuff there. I was parked next to a really sweet 36 ford coupe. I don't know how they scored the judging, I told them I didn't care if my car was judged or not, I didn't even clean it, other than dusting it off. I was either the last car to squeeze in for an award, or just got beat for best of show. (I was the last one announced before B.O.S.) No trophy, they gave out pretty nice desk clocks. I did hit the 50-50 drawing for a few bucks. There was an original unrestored 1914 Buick Touring, an 02 curved dash Olds, quite a few pre-war cars, lots of 50s and 60s stuff, musclecars and hotrods. Best of Show went to a 24 Buick Sedan that was exceptional. There was not a red Camaro on the field! (two Marina Blue ones) Got sunburned, smoked a Perdomo Estate and two of Fidels Finest. I now have Mr. Hudson of FL watching for a decent Commodore, and met an old guy from Mass who is selling his T roadster, he bought it in 1948 and is the second owner. He wants to sell it to a car guy, not a chopper. He wants me to visit him this summer and look it over. He says he will sell it for very reasonable if he finds an acceptable buyer. I feel like he is interviewing prospective adoptive parents for his kid.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Local Show

Thanks for the report on the show. We'll be looking for those pics. Asta la vista.

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

The monsterous demountables on Daves 6-40 are Universal Tire Co. products. My wife was impressed, they were made in Elizabethtown PA. She grew up inthe next small town over, maybe 3-4 miles, and never knew that there had been a tire plant there. She is going to check with her 85 year old stepfather, he has lived in E-town or Mt. Joy all his life and will know when it closed.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Local Show

Where are pictures?

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

Here are the ones I have that may be of interest. Camera died when I was out shooting, by the time it was fixed, it was too crowded for pictures.

Zephyrmec · Hornet Joined: Aug 19, 2007 Posts: 623

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